GUNUNG · Taiwan

Yushan

玉山

Information

Elevation: 3.952 m
Country: Taiwan (TW)
Location / Range: Central Mountain Range (CMR), Yushan National Park, Taiwan — southern heart of Taiwan Island
Mountain type: Non-volcanic metamorphic rock massif — the highest mountain in Taiwan and in East Asia outside mainland China; the 4th-highest island peak in the world
Volcanic?: No (non-volcanic)
Coordinates: 23.4700, 120.9573
Difficulty: Moderate to Hard (the Tataka–Paiyun trail is well built; the Paiyun–Summit segment is class 3 scrambling); strict quota via a permit lottery system
Best Season: October–December and March–May (clear skies, high visibility); February is often closed for conservation
Permits & Rules: A Yushan National Park permit from Hike Smart Taiwan (hikesmartaiwan.gov.tw) plus a free Police Mountain Entry Permit from the National Police Agency are mandatory. Quota: 24 slots/day for foreign hikers (Sunday–Thursday only); can be registered 4 months up to 35 days before the climb date. NP permit fee: TWD 480 (includes an overnight stay at Paiyun Lodge)
Hazards: Rapidly changing weather (fog and heavy rain without warning), strong winds on exposed ridges especially November–March, hypothermia and AMS at altitudes >3,500 m, rockfall on the upper trail segment, and slippery trails when raining and snowy in winter

Description

Yushan (玉山, 3,952 m) is the highest peak in Taiwan and the highest mountain in East Asia outside mainland China — placing it among the world's tallest island summits. Its name means 'Jade Mountain' in Mandarin, referring to the white snow-capped appearance of its peak seen from a distance, resembling jade. During the Japanese colonial era (1895–1945), it was known as Niitaka-yama and was briefly the highest point in the Japanese Empire — the code phrase 'Niitaka yama nobore' (Climb Niitaka) was used as the signal for the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941. Geologically, Yushan is composed of metamorphic rock and granite formed through the ongoing collision of the Eurasian and Philippine tectonic plates — a process that makes Taiwan one of the world's most tectonically active islands. The Yushan massif consists of five main peaks: Main Peak (3,952 m), East Peak (3,869 m), North Peak (3,858 m), South Peak (3,844 m), and West Peak (3,467 m). The entire area lies within Yushan National Park, protecting extraordinary biodiversity from broadleaf forests at lower elevations to alpine snowfields at the summit. Climbing permits are strictly managed through a quota system; foreign trekkers must register via Hike Smart Taiwan and obtain a Police Mountain Entry Permit. The main trail starts from Tataka Saddle (2,610 m) with an overnight at Paiyun Lodge (3,402 m) before a pre-dawn summit push.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Jalur Puncak Utama Tataka (Tataka–Paiyun–Puncak) — Rute Normal

Sedang (Tataka–Paiyun, trail bersemen parsial) / Kelas 3 scramble (Paiyun–Puncak, berbatu & terjal)

22.00 km +1342 m 2 hari 1 malam (Hari 1: 5–8 jam Tataka→Paiyun; Hari 2: 2–3 jam puncak + 4–6 jam turun)

The most popular route to Yushan's summit begins at Tataka Saddle (2,610 m), reached by shuttle bus from Tataka Police Station. Day 1 ascends 8.5 km through cedar forests to Paiyun Lodge (3,402 m) — the only official overnight facility on the trail. Day 2, hikers depart at 3–4 AM to reach the summit (3,952 m) at sunrise. The final 2.6 km segment involves steep rocky trail with class 3 scramble sections. Views from the summit span the entire Central Mountain Range of Taiwan and, on clear days, reach both coastlines. NP permit required (TWD 480, includes Paiyun Lodge); Police Mountain Entry Permit free; quota of 24 slots/day for foreigners, Sunday–Thursday only.

Route Segments

1

Tataka Saddle → Qianfeng

↔ 2.7 km ⏱ 1,5–2 jam 2.850 mdpl

Jalur cemara, terrain lebih ringan; ini adalah titik awal resmi (di sini petugas memeriksa izin)
2

Qianfeng → Paiyun Lodge

↔ 5.8 km ⏱ 3–5 jam 3.402 mdpl

Jalur semakin curam melewati batas pohon; pemandangan terbuka dari ketinggian 3.200 m ke atas
3

Paiyun Lodge → Puncak Utama (Summit Push)

↔ 2.6 km ⏱ 1,5–3 jam (berangkat pra-fajar) 3.952 mdpl

Medan berbatu dan scramble kelas 3; headlamp wajib; suhu bisa di bawah nol di musim dingin

Source

Jalur Tataka (Tataka Trail) — rute normal via Paiyun Lodge

Trekking menengah–berat (non-teknis, tetapi panjang 8,5 km one-way + > 500 m gain dari lodge ke puncak pada ketinggian > 3.400 m)

2 hari 1 malam (Hari 1: trailhead Tataka ~2.610 m → Paiyun Lodge 3.402 m, ~4–6 jam; Hari 2: dini hari lodge → puncak 3.952 m, ~2–3 jam; turun ~5–6 jam)

The Tataka Trail is the only official route to Yushan's main summit. Starting from Tataka Saddle (~2,610 m) in Yushan National Park, it winds through conifer forest then follows an open ridge to Paiyun Lodge (3,402 m) — the sole overnight shelter on the route, with 92 beds allocated via the permit reservation system. The summit push typically begins at 02:00–03:00 am to reach the 3,952 m top at dawn. The final section to the main peak is a steep rocky narrow trail (~500 m elevation gain from the lodge) that requires hand-holds at some points. After the main summit, some hikers continue to Front Peak (Yushan Qianfeng, 3,740 m) as an alternative descent with more varied scenery.

Route Segments

1

Tataka Saddle Trailhead → Paiyun Lodge

↔ 8.5 km ↑ 792 m ⏱ 4–6 jam 3.402 mdpl

Jalur relatif gradual; melewati hutan dan punggung terbuka dengan pemandangan lembah
2

Paiyun Lodge → Puncak Utama Yushan

↔ 2.4 km ↑ 550 m ⏱ 2–3 jam (biasanya dini hari pukul 02.00–05.00) 3.952 mdpl

Bagian paling terjal; jalur berbatu sempit, gelap saat berangkat dini hari; lampu kepala wajib

Source

Jalur Utama — Tataka → Pondok Paiyun → Puncak Utama

Sedang (jalur jelas; bagian puncak berbatu dengan rantai)

2 hari 1 malam (umum)

The classic and most popular route to Yushan's summit. Day one covers about 10.9 km from the Tataka trailhead (around 2,610 m) along a relatively gentle traversing path to Paiyun Lodge (around 3,402 m) for an overnight stay. In the pre-dawn dark, hikers make a summit push of about 2.4 km up the final rocky, chain-protected section, reaching the 3,952 m summit for sunrise. Access is limited by Yushan National Park permits through a quota lottery.

Route Segments

1

Tataka Trailhead → Pondok Paiyun

↔ 10.9 km ⏱ 5–7 jam 3.402 mdpl

Jalur menyusuri lereng yang relatif landai melewati hutan dan tebing; bermalam di Pondok Paiyun (wajib reservasi).
2

Pondok Paiyun → Puncak Utama Yushan

↔ 2.4 km ⏱ 2–3 jam (dini hari) 3.952 mdpl

Tanjakan akhir berbatu dengan rantai pengaman; berangkat dini hari untuk menyambut matahari terbit di puncak.

Source

Jalur Xinzhong (Xinzhong Trail) — rute historis panjang dari timur

Berat — lebih panjang dan terpencil; tidak ada fasilitas penginapan di jalur

3–4 hari (ekspedisi penuh)

The Xinzhong Trail is an alternative approach to Yushan from the eastern side through remote Yushan National Park terrain. Rarely used (requires separate permits), it passes diverse low-elevation forest ecosystems and requires full bivouac logistics. Only suitable for experienced trekkers with strong navigation and self-sufficiency skills.

Source

Pendakian Sehari (Single-day / 單攻)

Berat (jarak panjang & beda tinggi besar dalam sehari)

1 hari (±12–16 jam pulang-pergi)

A no-overnight variation for very fit hikers: start very early from Tataka, push straight to the summit and back in one long day. It demands excellent fitness and tight time management, and still requires a Yushan National Park entry permit even without staying at Paiyun Lodge.

Source

Climbing Experiences

Yushan (玉山, 3,952 m) is Taiwan's highest mountain attracting thousands of hikers every year — from local Taiwanese trekkers to international visitors drawn by the sunrise view above the clouds from this 3,952 m summit. The quota permit system and Paiyun Lodge at 3,402 m make the climb well-organized yet still physically demanding. The following footage and accounts capture real hiking experiences across seasons — from winter snow to rocky spring trails.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.